põhjendatud

Põhjendatud is an Estonian adjective meaning justified, well-founded, or substantiated. It describes statements, decisions, or claims that have reasons or evidence to support them. In legal, administrative, and academic language, it signals that a conclusion is warranted by facts or rationale. The word is the past passive participle form of the verb põhjendama (to justify).

In usage, põhjendatud modifies a noun and agrees with number and case (for example, põhjendatud otsus, "a justified decision"; põhjendatud arvamus, "a well-founded opinion"). The negation form is põhjendamata, meaning unfounded or unjustified. Related phrases include põhjendatud kahtlus (reasonable doubt) and põhjendatud väide (well-supported claim). The term is common in formal discourse but also appears in everyday speech when someone emphasizes that an argument or action rests on solid grounds.

Examples:

See otsus on põhjendatud, sest see tugineb põhjalikele andmetele.

Tema väide on põhjendatud, kuna see põhineb uuringutulemustel.

Mõnikord on vaja eristada põhjendatud arvamus pelgalt kahtlusest.

Etymology and semantics:

Põhjendatud derives from the verb põhjendama, meaning to justify, with the commonly used -atud participle ending. It conveys a normative assessment, indicating that reasons or evidence establish the legitimacy or defensibility of the subject it describes.